Monday, February 28, 2011
Photos of the Fur-Kids
Hugs, Rubs and Frito Toes
Hugs, Rubs and Frito Toes
He is so handsome! The first time I saw him he was a face in a crowd and although his manner was kind I never realized how sweet. I am not talking about the man in my life, although Chris would like me to do so; maybe... I am talking about my dog Woody.
Right now our fur babies number four. All except one has been adopted a little later in life. The one we’ve had since a baby is a cat, which I affectionally named Amanda, after the child I never had. LOL
No, we are rescuers in a sense, not because of anything deliberately we go after, but because of circumstance. It is like we are the stopping place for the ones who need us, and maybe we need them too.
Woody was sort of a unique adoption. We had loss the last of our “chosen” pets, meaning we bought her as a puppy. Her name was Darcy and as it turned out she was one of those pets who leaves an indelible mark on you. Actually both my husband and I contend there will never be another like her and she was the dog of our “lifetime”. In fact I still have dreams of her and I still smile wildly when I think of her and her antics. She was a “princess” in all the senses of the title. And for my husband she was even more special. After having had a terrible painful time of it she was released from it all. I was the one who thanked her and told her to run into her next life, for I felt she would be waiting for both my husband and I when our time would come. For him, it was too painful, for me it provided peace.
After several years I was wanting another dog. MY dog. What can I say, my husband is an animal magnet. All our animals (save one cat and now Woody) tended to bond with him.
It was what seemed ages I kept hinting and asking, but my husband just did not budge. Weather he had been too hurt by the loss of Darcy or was worried financially managing 4 animals (and vet bills) or the care and upkeep I don’t know, he just wouldn’t budge. I finally just stopped asking. Then there was Woody.
Our groomer was starting to have trouble with our eldest pet, a mini schnauzer who needed regular grooming and she had requested that one of us stay while she groomed her. A just in case she became too unruly. At the time the groomer had her own pack of dogs there with one new one. He was the smallest of her brood. Chris asked about him. He was a very strange mix. Looking like a basenji (but without the almond shaped eyes) he was told Woody was a mutt with Rat Terrier, Pom and Doxie mix. Turns out she had an opportunity to buy him off of Craigs list (she was always suspect of small dogs on Craigs list ...dogfights you know) and she had a customer looking for a smaller dog. Well, the other customer fell through. On that faithful day she was talking about Woody and how he already had 3 owners and was still a sweet dog. Chris was smitten. Woody was warm and friendly and took to Chris and Chris took to him. Next thing I get a phone call from the groomer asking me to come “meet” Woody.
I was stunned! “Who’s idea is this?” at this point she assured me it was Chris’ and that he knew I was wanting another dog, to call my own. I hopped into my car and went to introduce myself to Woody.
He was tan, with black and one paw that was white....shades of Michael Jackson. I can’t say he was good looking but he the most soulful eyes. He had a way with those ears, which by all that is natural and gravity driven, should be folded over. But those ears stood straight up and had as much expression as his eyes. His coloring was that of a shepherd, his nose cold. The groomer had grown attached to him and her brood of pooches had grown use to him. But, she with two Mastiffs and two Boston terriers was ready for Woody to find his forever home. She had him tagged, fixed and all up to date with shots.
I went to the back of the shop where Woody could meet me. He jumped on a chair and sniffed at my face and then gave me a quick lick. The groomer seemed surprised. “he never licks anyone”
It was love at first lick.
She agreed to let us “try him out” after he had healed completely from his surgery (he had just been fixed the day before). So, a week later we had our two week try out and Woody never left. Our groomer check on him often during that time and could see that there was “something” between he and I. We had not yet set a price (and we thought we would at the very least pay for the last vet visit) when she called two weeks before Christmas and said Woody would be our Christmas present and that she wouldn’t accept anything for him. This was such a gift. She had paid $300 on Craigs List for him, and probably that much in vet bills. We took him over to visit when we took our schnauzer in for grooming. It was working out great.
Now, how do we stop the “every animal falls for Chris” spell. Chris was not to pay much attention to him for a month, while I lavished it. It was so sweet to have him follow me from room to room, tuck himself under my blankets and look soulful at me when he wanted “lov’in dov’ins”. His ears were like silk, his sweetness was sincere and to think people didn’t want him! He was meant to be with us.
After a period of time Chris came into the attention picture and we were complete. My longing for another dog had gone.
It was after an article Chris read about dogs toes smelling like Frito-Lay Corn chips that the final tag of Frito-toes came to be. Smell them, go ahead smell them.... maybe your dogs toes smells like the corn chip too!
It is funny how things work out. There was a time that a little fellow needed a love that would be forever. There was a time that a gal needed a little boy to call her own. Under some strange and unusual odds they came together.
Now life is all hugs, rubs and Frito Toes. Oh, what a lucky girl I am.
Although I still sometimes dream of Darcy, my heart isn't as achy and if it is I look to my side and see a set of ears rising from the blankets and a cold nose waiting to touch my hand as he accepts a soft caress on his head. Darcy may be with me forever, but for now I have love enough to share for dog who had quite a journey to come to me. His paw comes to my face looking for more attention and I wonder what a wonderful joke life gives you and think, where is the dip??
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*
He is so handsome! The first time I saw him he was a face in a crowd and although his manner was kind I never realized how sweet. I am not talking about the man in my life, although Chris would like me to do so; maybe... I am talking about my dog Woody.
Right now our fur babies number four. All except one has been adopted a little later in life. The one we’ve had since a baby is a cat, which I affectionally named Amanda, after the child I never had. LOL
No, we are rescuers in a sense, not because of anything deliberately we go after, but because of circumstance. It is like we are the stopping place for the ones who need us, and maybe we need them too.
Woody was sort of a unique adoption. We had loss the last of our “chosen” pets, meaning we bought her as a puppy. Her name was Darcy and as it turned out she was one of those pets who leaves an indelible mark on you. Actually both my husband and I contend there will never be another like her and she was the dog of our “lifetime”. In fact I still have dreams of her and I still smile wildly when I think of her and her antics. She was a “princess” in all the senses of the title. And for my husband she was even more special. After having had a terrible painful time of it she was released from it all. I was the one who thanked her and told her to run into her next life, for I felt she would be waiting for both my husband and I when our time would come. For him, it was too painful, for me it provided peace.
After several years I was wanting another dog. MY dog. What can I say, my husband is an animal magnet. All our animals (save one cat and now Woody) tended to bond with him.
It was what seemed ages I kept hinting and asking, but my husband just did not budge. Weather he had been too hurt by the loss of Darcy or was worried financially managing 4 animals (and vet bills) or the care and upkeep I don’t know, he just wouldn’t budge. I finally just stopped asking. Then there was Woody.
Our groomer was starting to have trouble with our eldest pet, a mini schnauzer who needed regular grooming and she had requested that one of us stay while she groomed her. A just in case she became too unruly. At the time the groomer had her own pack of dogs there with one new one. He was the smallest of her brood. Chris asked about him. He was a very strange mix. Looking like a basenji (but without the almond shaped eyes) he was told Woody was a mutt with Rat Terrier, Pom and Doxie mix. Turns out she had an opportunity to buy him off of Craigs list (she was always suspect of small dogs on Craigs list ...dogfights you know) and she had a customer looking for a smaller dog. Well, the other customer fell through. On that faithful day she was talking about Woody and how he already had 3 owners and was still a sweet dog. Chris was smitten. Woody was warm and friendly and took to Chris and Chris took to him. Next thing I get a phone call from the groomer asking me to come “meet” Woody.
I was stunned! “Who’s idea is this?” at this point she assured me it was Chris’ and that he knew I was wanting another dog, to call my own. I hopped into my car and went to introduce myself to Woody.
He was tan, with black and one paw that was white....shades of Michael Jackson. I can’t say he was good looking but he the most soulful eyes. He had a way with those ears, which by all that is natural and gravity driven, should be folded over. But those ears stood straight up and had as much expression as his eyes. His coloring was that of a shepherd, his nose cold. The groomer had grown attached to him and her brood of pooches had grown use to him. But, she with two Mastiffs and two Boston terriers was ready for Woody to find his forever home. She had him tagged, fixed and all up to date with shots.
I went to the back of the shop where Woody could meet me. He jumped on a chair and sniffed at my face and then gave me a quick lick. The groomer seemed surprised. “he never licks anyone”
It was love at first lick.
She agreed to let us “try him out” after he had healed completely from his surgery (he had just been fixed the day before). So, a week later we had our two week try out and Woody never left. Our groomer check on him often during that time and could see that there was “something” between he and I. We had not yet set a price (and we thought we would at the very least pay for the last vet visit) when she called two weeks before Christmas and said Woody would be our Christmas present and that she wouldn’t accept anything for him. This was such a gift. She had paid $300 on Craigs List for him, and probably that much in vet bills. We took him over to visit when we took our schnauzer in for grooming. It was working out great.
Now, how do we stop the “every animal falls for Chris” spell. Chris was not to pay much attention to him for a month, while I lavished it. It was so sweet to have him follow me from room to room, tuck himself under my blankets and look soulful at me when he wanted “lov’in dov’ins”. His ears were like silk, his sweetness was sincere and to think people didn’t want him! He was meant to be with us.
After a period of time Chris came into the attention picture and we were complete. My longing for another dog had gone.
It was after an article Chris read about dogs toes smelling like Frito-Lay Corn chips that the final tag of Frito-toes came to be. Smell them, go ahead smell them.... maybe your dogs toes smells like the corn chip too!
It is funny how things work out. There was a time that a little fellow needed a love that would be forever. There was a time that a gal needed a little boy to call her own. Under some strange and unusual odds they came together.
Now life is all hugs, rubs and Frito Toes. Oh, what a lucky girl I am.
Although I still sometimes dream of Darcy, my heart isn't as achy and if it is I look to my side and see a set of ears rising from the blankets and a cold nose waiting to touch my hand as he accepts a soft caress on his head. Darcy may be with me forever, but for now I have love enough to share for dog who had quite a journey to come to me. His paw comes to my face looking for more attention and I wonder what a wonderful joke life gives you and think, where is the dip??
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Monday, January 31, 2011
LAZY TURTLE BARS - It's been a long time baby!
Okay, can I say I am sorry for being away so long? It was really very hectic around the holidays and I was working on home made goodies, and hand made goodies. Problems with one of the furry kids too.
Since I have ignored you terribly I feel I must (oh I MUST) give you my latest easiest confection recipe that I gave out this Christmas.
It was sort of odd the way it came about. I was going to make turtles and I was having a terrible time getting those wrapped caramels. Even my dear hubby Chris was searching for them every time he had to go into a store.
He hit pay dirt with these new caramel melts. They are round little balls that actually warm up quite nicely in a double boiler or a heavy bottom pan. So, if you find these pick some up. They were so easy to use, I didn't spend an hour (okay, it didn't take an hour, it just felt like it) unwrapping caramels, getting a sticky mess on my fingers. Now...I had all the ingredients I needed!
But, it was right before the giving of our goodie baskets! I wanted to do something since I had the ingredients, but it had to be something quick.
So, here is the recipe....in time for Easter, yeah, that's the ticket...Easter!
LAZY TURTLE BARS
Take a sided cookie sheet (one of those sheets that can also be used to make a jelly roll) and cover entire pan, including going up all the sides. Spray the foil with a butter flavor non stick spray. Do not skip this part, otherwise you will have a dickens of a time getting these bars out of the pan!!! Remember foil, non-stick spray a must. If you do not do this, you will have to put your cookie sheet over a top of boiling water to get the bottom to loosen (and get sticky) in order to get them out...and they don't look pretty!!! Learn from my experience.
2 bags of caramel melts
1 bag of chocolate chips (semisweet or milk chocolate) 12 ounces
3-4 cups of pecans (the more the better for my liking)
Melt the caramel over low heat until smooth. If it get's a little too thick add a bit of cream
Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, it tells you how on the packages (only if you are comfortable with that, or else use a double boiler)
In prepared pan, line the bottom with a boat load of pecans. If you want to press them down to break them a bit to get good coverage, go for it.
Next, spread the caramel over the pecans. You do not have to wait for the caramel to set up, because believe me it will set up as soon as you stop spreading.
Finally, take the melted chocolate and spread over top, making swirls and curls along the way.
Now this is a trick I use to help me cut. Once the chocolate is a bit solid, but not completely, I will score the chocolate so I know how to cut. It helps me keep the pieces nice and even and I am not guessing as I lay the knife down. What can I say, what may look good before I cut can look terrible after the cut. So, this is a cheat which also allows me to see how many pieces I am getting out of the batch. I usually cut in a about 1 inch square, using a ruler as my scoring guide.
Take the pan and put it in either the refrigerator on in a dry cool space until it is completely set up. Here in New England, our 3 season porch becomes the "cold storage" room up until Christmas. Candy making day, the porch is covered with confections galore.
On a cutting surface flip the pan over, remove the foil and turn it right side up again. This can be a bit tricky, but it does look nicer.
Lay a large knife down in the scored chocolate (one of those Pizza rocker knives works well too) and press firmly, cutting through all those delicious nuts.
Keep in an airtight container (I always use tins, which I hoard just for my candy making projects).
I wrapped them in a tower using those candy bags you can get just about any where that Wilton products are sold. I also tie up in a string. If you are more festive curly ribbon looks very nice too. They stack well because they are pretty solid and not messy until they are in your hands for a minute, but in this house they don't stay in your hand for a minute! ;-)
Because you scored so nicely, they stack beautifully.
These are so easy to make and so yummy. Enjoy!
Until next time stay warm, stay safe
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Since I have ignored you terribly I feel I must (oh I MUST) give you my latest easiest confection recipe that I gave out this Christmas.
It was sort of odd the way it came about. I was going to make turtles and I was having a terrible time getting those wrapped caramels. Even my dear hubby Chris was searching for them every time he had to go into a store.
He hit pay dirt with these new caramel melts. They are round little balls that actually warm up quite nicely in a double boiler or a heavy bottom pan. So, if you find these pick some up. They were so easy to use, I didn't spend an hour (okay, it didn't take an hour, it just felt like it) unwrapping caramels, getting a sticky mess on my fingers. Now...I had all the ingredients I needed!
But, it was right before the giving of our goodie baskets! I wanted to do something since I had the ingredients, but it had to be something quick.
So, here is the recipe....in time for Easter, yeah, that's the ticket...Easter!
LAZY TURTLE BARS
Take a sided cookie sheet (one of those sheets that can also be used to make a jelly roll) and cover entire pan, including going up all the sides. Spray the foil with a butter flavor non stick spray. Do not skip this part, otherwise you will have a dickens of a time getting these bars out of the pan!!! Remember foil, non-stick spray a must. If you do not do this, you will have to put your cookie sheet over a top of boiling water to get the bottom to loosen (and get sticky) in order to get them out...and they don't look pretty!!! Learn from my experience.
2 bags of caramel melts
1 bag of chocolate chips (semisweet or milk chocolate) 12 ounces
3-4 cups of pecans (the more the better for my liking)
Melt the caramel over low heat until smooth. If it get's a little too thick add a bit of cream
Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, it tells you how on the packages (only if you are comfortable with that, or else use a double boiler)
In prepared pan, line the bottom with a boat load of pecans. If you want to press them down to break them a bit to get good coverage, go for it.
Next, spread the caramel over the pecans. You do not have to wait for the caramel to set up, because believe me it will set up as soon as you stop spreading.
Finally, take the melted chocolate and spread over top, making swirls and curls along the way.
Now this is a trick I use to help me cut. Once the chocolate is a bit solid, but not completely, I will score the chocolate so I know how to cut. It helps me keep the pieces nice and even and I am not guessing as I lay the knife down. What can I say, what may look good before I cut can look terrible after the cut. So, this is a cheat which also allows me to see how many pieces I am getting out of the batch. I usually cut in a about 1 inch square, using a ruler as my scoring guide.
Take the pan and put it in either the refrigerator on in a dry cool space until it is completely set up. Here in New England, our 3 season porch becomes the "cold storage" room up until Christmas. Candy making day, the porch is covered with confections galore.
On a cutting surface flip the pan over, remove the foil and turn it right side up again. This can be a bit tricky, but it does look nicer.
Lay a large knife down in the scored chocolate (one of those Pizza rocker knives works well too) and press firmly, cutting through all those delicious nuts.
Keep in an airtight container (I always use tins, which I hoard just for my candy making projects).
I wrapped them in a tower using those candy bags you can get just about any where that Wilton products are sold. I also tie up in a string. If you are more festive curly ribbon looks very nice too. They stack well because they are pretty solid and not messy until they are in your hands for a minute, but in this house they don't stay in your hand for a minute! ;-)
Because you scored so nicely, they stack beautifully.
These are so easy to make and so yummy. Enjoy!
Until next time stay warm, stay safe
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Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Those Bloody Pomegranates
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Okay, so I have never had a pomegranate. This time of year I see them everywhere. Strange and somewhat mysterious, I had an adventurous moment while shopping and picked one up.
Now I love the taste of pomegranate, but to eat a fresh one, I was in for a surprise.
The fruit was huge. It was about the size of a soft ball. Smooth and although its skin is peel-able (who knew) Chris and I decided to take a knife to cut it in half and then figure out how to attack it. What a mistake.
On a white cutting board, we cut the strange fruit into half, meanwhile creating a splatter of about five feet. All the while the red juice began to flow freely on the cutting board. It looked like we just massacred a living thing.
It became clear that the “seeds” or what ever they are called held all that fruity pleasure. Armed with paper towels we stared to break apart the fruit. What was revealed were little “bags” about the size of corn kernels. Inside each kernel was a seed. It was like eating crunchy corn on the cob. A strange sensation of sweet, sour and crunch. Not that I totally disliked it, the red juices continued flow down my arms as I was still trying to figure out the best way to eat this.
Should I dig in like an orange? Well, that produced loads of juice, which flowed everywhere.
Finally I realized that popping each kernel out was much cleaner. So, we began to break away pieces and chew, and chew, and chew. My poor jaw was sore by the time I was finished with my half!
Now this may be the nectar of the gods, but the work of it all was just plain embarrassing. Finally, after about a half hour we had finished making a mess, I mean eating.
The next day I found spots of juice everywhere from the plants to my collection of cows.
I now appreciate why the juice is so expensive.
For this adventurous gal, I will leave eating the pomegranate to those who cherish the experience. As for me, give me a bottle of Pom and a couple of ice cubes...now that is my idea of nirvana.
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Monday, December 6, 2010
A Christmas Goodie! GINNY'S RASPBERRY TRUFFLES
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GINNY'S RASPBERRY TRUFFLES- can you say YUMMY!!!!!
Back in 2004 I won second place in Hershey's "I resolve to eat more chocolate" contest and I thought I would share that recipe with you. Now, these are easy to make but I do have one change. Back when I made these Hershey's had raspberry chocolate chips you could buy. They have been harder and harder to fined and now even on the company website they are not in stock. My resolve to continue is to use Raspberry Flavored Oil. DO NOT USE EXTRACT. You can just use milk chocolate chips without the flavoring, but it does make a taste difference. So, if you plan on making these, a couple of things.
1. Plan to make them at least one week (two weeks are better) before giving, so that you can let them "mellow" if you use the liqueur.
2. DO NOT USE EXTRACT. Extract has water in it and it will make the chocolate seize, (make it into one horrendous lump) and will not be able to be handled properly.
3. Raspberry oil can be find in better cake supply places and always at candy supply places. It is a candy flavoring, which makes it safe to use. A little goes a long, long way. So, for a $3 investment you have quite a few batches.
All that being said, the recipe is very easy.
GINNY'S RASPBERRY TRUFFLES
2 cups HERSHEY'S® Milk Chocolate Chips
1 2/3 cups Hershey's® Raspberry Chips (or substitute semi-sweet chocolate and use raspberry OIL)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 (10 ounce) jar seedless raspberry jam
2 tablespoons raspberry liqueur OR 1 teaspoon raspberry candy flavoring (Raspberry OIL)
5 tablespoons whipping cream,or as needed (humidity is the factor for the "as needed") You really want to make them hard, but pliable enough to handle and roll without melting too much
Coatings (powdered sugar,cocoa, toasted coconut or chopped nuts) I LOVE chocolate or white jimmies (sprinkles for you non New Englanders!)
DIRECTIONS
1 Place chocolate chips, raspberry chips (or semi sweet chips and Raspberry oil) and butter in large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 1 minute; stir. If necessary, microwave at HIGH an additional 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth when stirred. Stir in jam, liqueur and 4 tablespoons whipping cream. If necessary, add additional whipping cream, one half teaspoon at a time, until mixture is well blended and smooth.
2 Cover; refrigerate several hours or overnight until chocolate mixture is firm enough to handle. Roll mixture into 1-inch balls; while still tacky roll in your choice of coating. Place coated truffle on cookie sheet to set. Refrigerate several hours or until completely cold; transfer to airtight container. Store in cool, dry place. Candy flavor is best after storing for about 1 week. Truffles also freeze well.
Enjoy! Many do! LOL
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GINNY'S RASPBERRY TRUFFLES- can you say YUMMY!!!!!
Back in 2004 I won second place in Hershey's "I resolve to eat more chocolate" contest and I thought I would share that recipe with you. Now, these are easy to make but I do have one change. Back when I made these Hershey's had raspberry chocolate chips you could buy. They have been harder and harder to fined and now even on the company website they are not in stock. My resolve to continue is to use Raspberry Flavored Oil. DO NOT USE EXTRACT. You can just use milk chocolate chips without the flavoring, but it does make a taste difference. So, if you plan on making these, a couple of things.
1. Plan to make them at least one week (two weeks are better) before giving, so that you can let them "mellow" if you use the liqueur.
2. DO NOT USE EXTRACT. Extract has water in it and it will make the chocolate seize, (make it into one horrendous lump) and will not be able to be handled properly.
3. Raspberry oil can be find in better cake supply places and always at candy supply places. It is a candy flavoring, which makes it safe to use. A little goes a long, long way. So, for a $3 investment you have quite a few batches.
All that being said, the recipe is very easy.
GINNY'S RASPBERRY TRUFFLES
2 cups HERSHEY'S® Milk Chocolate Chips
1 2/3 cups Hershey's® Raspberry Chips (or substitute semi-sweet chocolate and use raspberry OIL)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 (10 ounce) jar seedless raspberry jam
2 tablespoons raspberry liqueur OR 1 teaspoon raspberry candy flavoring (Raspberry OIL)
5 tablespoons whipping cream,or as needed (humidity is the factor for the "as needed") You really want to make them hard, but pliable enough to handle and roll without melting too much
Coatings (powdered sugar,cocoa, toasted coconut or chopped nuts) I LOVE chocolate or white jimmies (sprinkles for you non New Englanders!)
DIRECTIONS
1 Place chocolate chips, raspberry chips (or semi sweet chips and Raspberry oil) and butter in large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 1 minute; stir. If necessary, microwave at HIGH an additional 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth when stirred. Stir in jam, liqueur and 4 tablespoons whipping cream. If necessary, add additional whipping cream, one half teaspoon at a time, until mixture is well blended and smooth.
2 Cover; refrigerate several hours or overnight until chocolate mixture is firm enough to handle. Roll mixture into 1-inch balls; while still tacky roll in your choice of coating. Place coated truffle on cookie sheet to set. Refrigerate several hours or until completely cold; transfer to airtight container. Store in cool, dry place. Candy flavor is best after storing for about 1 week. Truffles also freeze well.
Enjoy! Many do! LOL
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Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Starting Early, Amen!
Well it is now officially November and I feel a bit better about my confessions.... I've been listening to Christmas music and picking out my Christmas crafts since the beginning of October!
I wanted to take a moment to share a favorite website which has a ton of ebooks you can download (just but ebook in the search). At http://www.favecrafts.com/ you will find so many crafts you can never say there isn't something that you cannot "make" for the holidays! I like to do easy crafts for our church fair and in past I have also done a Christmas craft with the children at the church. I have to plan on two levels... the very young (which I learned last year NEVER give a child a glitter glue bottle!) and the older ones which range from 10-13. I've even done things with the youth (a button wreath) which has proved fun. They can easily use glue guns and can take directions well. Well, at favecrafts.com you can find it all!
I am planning on making several homemade gifts this year. I have made November my painting month (I am a decorative painter) and December is my baking month. It just seems right this year. Buying gifts is fine, but sometimes I like to give a little more of "me" and this year is the year!
My second "confession" is listening to Christmas music. I have already gotten three new Christmas CD's. Some I like more than others. Here is my humble review of the three I've gotten so far.
1. Wilson Phillips Christmas in Harmony. I was thrilled to see them do a new CD. I was big fans years ago when they were together. I liked most of the music on this. Their voices were wonderful (as usual) and they had a nice selection of old tunes. The arrangements though were a little off for me. But, I don't regret the purchase. The Beach Boys was certainly an influence
2. Point of Grace Home for the Holidays. I love their harmonies as well! They have another CD Tennessee Christmas: A Holiday Collection, which I did like more. I tend to be a traditionalist. The one song that I was intrigued with was Not So Silent Night. It was lovely and like a poem. Labor of Love was well, a bit different. The second verse mentions blood on the ground. It caught me a bit off guard. Although I have to admit I did listen to every word after that. These ladies are great; Christmas music and their other CD's as well.
3. Celtic Thunder Christmas. Of the three I was disappointed in this. I have come to love the harmonies of all the voices but in this CD they played up the individuals. Not that they have bad independent voices, but I really wanted to hear ALL the voices.
I am expecting Susan Boyle and I will review that when I get it. Also, I am planning on writing about my recent trip to Savannah Georgia! It will take a bit to get that one together, but I will post it. (between painting and such!)
Well, that is it for the moment. Enjoy the autumn season.... although I love the "feelings" of Christmas, ice storms I do not! LOL. After Christmas I have no use at all for snow and I am ready for spring by the end of January.
I must start practicing being in the moment and treasuring each moment more!!!!
I wanted to take a moment to share a favorite website which has a ton of ebooks you can download (just but ebook in the search). At http://www.favecrafts.com/ you will find so many crafts you can never say there isn't something that you cannot "make" for the holidays! I like to do easy crafts for our church fair and in past I have also done a Christmas craft with the children at the church. I have to plan on two levels... the very young (which I learned last year NEVER give a child a glitter glue bottle!) and the older ones which range from 10-13. I've even done things with the youth (a button wreath) which has proved fun. They can easily use glue guns and can take directions well. Well, at favecrafts.com you can find it all!
I am planning on making several homemade gifts this year. I have made November my painting month (I am a decorative painter) and December is my baking month. It just seems right this year. Buying gifts is fine, but sometimes I like to give a little more of "me" and this year is the year!
My second "confession" is listening to Christmas music. I have already gotten three new Christmas CD's. Some I like more than others. Here is my humble review of the three I've gotten so far.
1. Wilson Phillips Christmas in Harmony. I was thrilled to see them do a new CD. I was big fans years ago when they were together. I liked most of the music on this. Their voices were wonderful (as usual) and they had a nice selection of old tunes. The arrangements though were a little off for me. But, I don't regret the purchase. The Beach Boys was certainly an influence
2. Point of Grace Home for the Holidays. I love their harmonies as well! They have another CD Tennessee Christmas: A Holiday Collection, which I did like more. I tend to be a traditionalist. The one song that I was intrigued with was Not So Silent Night. It was lovely and like a poem. Labor of Love was well, a bit different. The second verse mentions blood on the ground. It caught me a bit off guard. Although I have to admit I did listen to every word after that. These ladies are great; Christmas music and their other CD's as well.
3. Celtic Thunder Christmas. Of the three I was disappointed in this. I have come to love the harmonies of all the voices but in this CD they played up the individuals. Not that they have bad independent voices, but I really wanted to hear ALL the voices.
I am expecting Susan Boyle and I will review that when I get it. Also, I am planning on writing about my recent trip to Savannah Georgia! It will take a bit to get that one together, but I will post it. (between painting and such!)
Well, that is it for the moment. Enjoy the autumn season.... although I love the "feelings" of Christmas, ice storms I do not! LOL. After Christmas I have no use at all for snow and I am ready for spring by the end of January.
I must start practicing being in the moment and treasuring each moment more!!!!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Autumn "Nesting" and Apple Caramel Focaccia
I love this time of year! I seem to want to settle in and cook, bake and experiment with new recipes. I go through the thousands (I am not kidding) of cookbooks I have at hand and I try new "old" recipes (from my vintage collections) and new "new" ones from the likes of Taste of Home.
Something about when the weather starts to chill, but isn't cold. You sort of nest and you begin to think about harvest. Maybe it is my good old New England roots, but it comes naturally around autumn for me. All the smells of apples, pumpkin, cinnamon gets my mouth to watering and my mind to working.
Always on the prowl, I find many recipes that I keep to prepare later. Drives hubby crazy! Sometimes I get to them, sometimes I alter them to being unrecognizable in their original form. But, that is what I do as a creative cook and recipe developer.
You will get a taste of that from me here at this blog. One of my many interest, as well as painting and writing. You could say I am "full brain" dominant... for another time ..... Anyway.
I came across this recipe and it looked so fall like! Something a little special but oh-so-easy to prepare. I have adapted to my own flavors (like any good cook) So, I share! ;-)
Apple Caramel Focaccia Serves 12
1 frozen bread dough, thawed (1 pound)
1/4 cup of melted butter
2 cups of THINLY sliced apples that have been peeled and cored. I think Mac's are a little too soft, so Cortland is often my apple of choice, particularly when there is loads of sugar elsewhere in the recipe
1/8 cup brown sugar, packed
1/8 cup of white sugar
1 Tablespoon of cinnamon
1/8 Teaspoon each nutmeg, allspice, ground cloves
1/4 to 1/2 small chopped nuts now the recipe called for walnuts but caramel and pecans???? yumm
1/4 cup of jarred Caramel Sundae topping
Preheat oven to 350
Spray a large baking sheet with Pam, set aside. On a floured surface work the thawed loaf into a circle (or the best you can) to about 12 inches in diameter. Transfer to the baking sheet.
In a bowl mix apples slices with sugars, spices and nuts.
Brush dough with melted butter (save some butter, as when it comes out of the oven you will brush MORE butter...can you say Paula Deen????... on the top. Spread the apple mixture over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until the apples seem tender and the dough is browned golden. Remove from oven and brush with remaining butter.
While warm, drizzle a bit of the caramel topping over the Focaccia, cool a bit more (20 minutes)on a wire rack, (and put jar of caramel in refrigerator for about a half hour too) and drizzle MORE caramel on top. The double layering is yummmmmmy.
Slice and serve!
JUST IN CASE YOU ARE CURIOUS ABOUT FOCACCIA
From my favorite folks at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Focaccia (Italian pronunciation: [foˈkatʃːa]) is a flat oven-baked Italian bread,[1] which may be topped with herbs or other ingredients.
Focaccia is related to pizza, but not considered to be the same.
Something about when the weather starts to chill, but isn't cold. You sort of nest and you begin to think about harvest. Maybe it is my good old New England roots, but it comes naturally around autumn for me. All the smells of apples, pumpkin, cinnamon gets my mouth to watering and my mind to working.
Always on the prowl, I find many recipes that I keep to prepare later. Drives hubby crazy! Sometimes I get to them, sometimes I alter them to being unrecognizable in their original form. But, that is what I do as a creative cook and recipe developer.
You will get a taste of that from me here at this blog. One of my many interest, as well as painting and writing. You could say I am "full brain" dominant... for another time ..... Anyway.
I came across this recipe and it looked so fall like! Something a little special but oh-so-easy to prepare. I have adapted to my own flavors (like any good cook) So, I share! ;-)
Apple Caramel Focaccia Serves 12
1 frozen bread dough, thawed (1 pound)
1/4 cup of melted butter
2 cups of THINLY sliced apples that have been peeled and cored. I think Mac's are a little too soft, so Cortland is often my apple of choice, particularly when there is loads of sugar elsewhere in the recipe
1/8 cup brown sugar, packed
1/8 cup of white sugar
1 Tablespoon of cinnamon
1/8 Teaspoon each nutmeg, allspice, ground cloves
1/4 to 1/2 small chopped nuts now the recipe called for walnuts but caramel and pecans???? yumm
1/4 cup of jarred Caramel Sundae topping
Preheat oven to 350
Spray a large baking sheet with Pam, set aside. On a floured surface work the thawed loaf into a circle (or the best you can) to about 12 inches in diameter. Transfer to the baking sheet.
In a bowl mix apples slices with sugars, spices and nuts.
Brush dough with melted butter (save some butter, as when it comes out of the oven you will brush MORE butter...can you say Paula Deen????... on the top. Spread the apple mixture over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until the apples seem tender and the dough is browned golden. Remove from oven and brush with remaining butter.
While warm, drizzle a bit of the caramel topping over the Focaccia, cool a bit more (20 minutes)on a wire rack, (and put jar of caramel in refrigerator for about a half hour too) and drizzle MORE caramel on top. The double layering is yummmmmmy.
Slice and serve!
JUST IN CASE YOU ARE CURIOUS ABOUT FOCACCIA
From my favorite folks at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Focaccia (Italian pronunciation: [foˈkatʃːa]) is a flat oven-baked Italian bread,[1] which may be topped with herbs or other ingredients.
Focaccia is related to pizza, but not considered to be the same.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Ah, Fall and the Woes of Allergy Season!
Well, folks, I did find out why I was such in a "bum" mood. Allergies! By noon that day I was wearing a sweat shirt with a hood (and it is still in the 70's here) and I also just could not get warm. I started to freeze! Well, as luck would have it I also started to sniffle. Now, I am a gal who doesn't get colds real often, and when I do I sometimes start barking (coughing) like a dog, and that is something I find terribly embarrassing. I "woof", "woof" for weeks, and it often becomes bronchitis. So, off I went and took my Aire Bourne fizzy, a hit off my nose spray and gulp of some purple allergy meds. Lasted about 12 hours and I was back on my feet, sneezing but feeling much better.
Oh, how cruel a world that makes such a beautiful autumn to fill it with allergens!
It is now days later and I am still wearing my hoodie, but I at least know why I am feeling the way I do!
I don't know about you, but I get all flustered if I cannot figure out why I don't feel good, either physically or mentally.
For me I will very often get a double whammy and when I feel lousy I also feel down. There is something to be said about pulling yourself up by the boot straps though.
So, how does one do that? I think it is different for everyone. What may work for me, doesn't work for others. But, here are a few things that I have used that will let me move forward.
1. Give yourself permission to get some rest. Hey, when you are absolutely freezing and even your legs are cold, you know something is up. Your body is telling you it needs to mend and rest. I am not saying crawl into bed for 24 hours, but what I am saying is allow yourself an hour or two to try to address the immediate issue. For me I cover in a cozy quilt and put on the electric fireplace/heater and watch TV for an hour. I often sleep as well.
2. After a rest, I get up and say to myself "this isn't a cold" (can you say either self denial or positive thinking?!) Point is you gave your body something, now let's see where it takes you.
3. Tell people. Oh, how many martyrs out there?!?!?!? "Oh I am fine......" as your eyes look downward and the words whine a bit at the end. Be realistic and say, 'I am not feeling too well right now, so I am a bit low key".
4. Prepare others. If you cannot make dinner the easiest way to feel better about it is to make sure you have something in mind that is easy for people to prepare and feed themselves. Now, I am not saying my husband is incapable, in fact he very often has had to pinch hit meals. What I am saying that as a mom, you may be sending a signal that you need some "mom time" and still not get the kids to get overly concerned about it.
5. Can you say Tuna Fish sandwich?
6. Smile. Unless you have meningitis, be grateful.
7. Medicate. How often I have talked to someone, including hubby saying...did you take something for the headache? No..... well don't whine. Take the meds then let me know how you feel. Take your own advice and DO IT.
8. Drink plenty of fluids. I am always drinking water, COLD ice water. You would think that this would be the last thing I would drink if I was cold. I still do, for health reasons, but there is no reason I can't have a nice cup of instant Chai tea afterward.
9. Go to bed early. Or even stay on the couch! Point is be prepared to put some sleep into being sick.
10. Don't go to work. For years I managed about 12-15 people and it would drive me crazy when someone would come into work hacking, sneezing, blowing their nose and "spreading the wealth" so to speak. Don't go, simply don't go. No person is irreplaceable for one day. Also, if you think you are that important, then let them know you can be reached by phone. Point is YOU are to take care of yourself, so you therefore do not pose a health risk to others.
11. Finally, know that tomorrow is another chance for a better day. It is one day in your busy life, but in the scheme of things it is a blip in your timeline. So, do you really want to stay miserable????
Well, there you go. Take what you want and leave the rest. I am not an expert by any means but I am a babbler.
Take care folks, stay healthy and know that you have the right to self heal better than anyone out there!
Oh, how cruel a world that makes such a beautiful autumn to fill it with allergens!
It is now days later and I am still wearing my hoodie, but I at least know why I am feeling the way I do!
I don't know about you, but I get all flustered if I cannot figure out why I don't feel good, either physically or mentally.
For me I will very often get a double whammy and when I feel lousy I also feel down. There is something to be said about pulling yourself up by the boot straps though.
So, how does one do that? I think it is different for everyone. What may work for me, doesn't work for others. But, here are a few things that I have used that will let me move forward.
1. Give yourself permission to get some rest. Hey, when you are absolutely freezing and even your legs are cold, you know something is up. Your body is telling you it needs to mend and rest. I am not saying crawl into bed for 24 hours, but what I am saying is allow yourself an hour or two to try to address the immediate issue. For me I cover in a cozy quilt and put on the electric fireplace/heater and watch TV for an hour. I often sleep as well.
2. After a rest, I get up and say to myself "this isn't a cold" (can you say either self denial or positive thinking?!) Point is you gave your body something, now let's see where it takes you.
3. Tell people. Oh, how many martyrs out there?!?!?!? "Oh I am fine......" as your eyes look downward and the words whine a bit at the end. Be realistic and say, 'I am not feeling too well right now, so I am a bit low key".
4. Prepare others. If you cannot make dinner the easiest way to feel better about it is to make sure you have something in mind that is easy for people to prepare and feed themselves. Now, I am not saying my husband is incapable, in fact he very often has had to pinch hit meals. What I am saying that as a mom, you may be sending a signal that you need some "mom time" and still not get the kids to get overly concerned about it.
5. Can you say Tuna Fish sandwich?
6. Smile. Unless you have meningitis, be grateful.
7. Medicate. How often I have talked to someone, including hubby saying...did you take something for the headache? No..... well don't whine. Take the meds then let me know how you feel. Take your own advice and DO IT.
8. Drink plenty of fluids. I am always drinking water, COLD ice water. You would think that this would be the last thing I would drink if I was cold. I still do, for health reasons, but there is no reason I can't have a nice cup of instant Chai tea afterward.
9. Go to bed early. Or even stay on the couch! Point is be prepared to put some sleep into being sick.
10. Don't go to work. For years I managed about 12-15 people and it would drive me crazy when someone would come into work hacking, sneezing, blowing their nose and "spreading the wealth" so to speak. Don't go, simply don't go. No person is irreplaceable for one day. Also, if you think you are that important, then let them know you can be reached by phone. Point is YOU are to take care of yourself, so you therefore do not pose a health risk to others.
11. Finally, know that tomorrow is another chance for a better day. It is one day in your busy life, but in the scheme of things it is a blip in your timeline. So, do you really want to stay miserable????
Well, there you go. Take what you want and leave the rest. I am not an expert by any means but I am a babbler.
Take care folks, stay healthy and know that you have the right to self heal better than anyone out there!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Bum.....
I feel like a bum today. Here I sit in my exercise pants, a tee, white socks and the only adornment on me is a headband that I am using because my hair is so darn drab and flat.
I wonder sometimes if other people feel this way. I got to say it may be a bit to easy for me to do this because I do not work outside the house.
There is a crispness in the air, fall weather is finally arriving. I wonder how long we will be able to use the new outside patio before the weather settles in. I look out the window next to the computer onto the shade garden, still lush and green. I begin to have thoughts of everything dying down......
Don't get me wrong , I love fall. The autumn is "my time" of year. My favorite, weather wise. Here in New England the mornings are chilly (60's) and as the sun comes out it warms up nicely. There are very often breezes that will float through the rooms from open windows. Then in the evening it starts to cool. The breezes die down and it takes one more cover on the bed to sleep comfortably. The sky is so blue and the clouds have a certain look about them in the fall. They build sideways instead of up and you can see it from the highway as all the clouds seem to have flat bottoms and some are clustered and some stand alone. The air smells like, well nothing. Until leaf burning season.
But, I must admit something has got me today. I am not usually so disengaged. But, yet I am. Very often I can self diagnose myself and find a reason for the lack of energy and joy, but I am thinking today it may take some time.
So, this morning I woke up around 5, let the dogs out, fed them and went back to sleep for a while. I chose a quick wash up instead of a shower (the reason for the flat and unruly hair) and although I was planning on going shopping for a few groceries, I've decided to put that off until tomorrow. Chris will just have to go without orange juice tomorrow. I am so bad. Then of course I may just go out later.
Lately, I've been busy with many projects and next week I have so many appointments I am tired looking at the calendar. Maybe that is it. I am just run down.
Regardless, I think I will make ANOTHER cup of coffee (I usually have only one a day) and hope I don't get "coffee shakes". But, I feel a need to nurture, to draw inward for comfort.
Comfort.... hmmmm a good subject. I will attempt tomorrow when my hair is cleaned and prissy, I am in decent clothes and ready to take on the world....and that party we are suppose to go to.
For today just call me Minnie, a drawback from my childhood name. Because today I feel like nesting and remembering. I will turn on the fireplace (an electric heater kind) and light some candles and begin my journey into fall.
I wonder sometimes if other people feel this way. I got to say it may be a bit to easy for me to do this because I do not work outside the house.
There is a crispness in the air, fall weather is finally arriving. I wonder how long we will be able to use the new outside patio before the weather settles in. I look out the window next to the computer onto the shade garden, still lush and green. I begin to have thoughts of everything dying down......
Don't get me wrong , I love fall. The autumn is "my time" of year. My favorite, weather wise. Here in New England the mornings are chilly (60's) and as the sun comes out it warms up nicely. There are very often breezes that will float through the rooms from open windows. Then in the evening it starts to cool. The breezes die down and it takes one more cover on the bed to sleep comfortably. The sky is so blue and the clouds have a certain look about them in the fall. They build sideways instead of up and you can see it from the highway as all the clouds seem to have flat bottoms and some are clustered and some stand alone. The air smells like, well nothing. Until leaf burning season.
But, I must admit something has got me today. I am not usually so disengaged. But, yet I am. Very often I can self diagnose myself and find a reason for the lack of energy and joy, but I am thinking today it may take some time.
So, this morning I woke up around 5, let the dogs out, fed them and went back to sleep for a while. I chose a quick wash up instead of a shower (the reason for the flat and unruly hair) and although I was planning on going shopping for a few groceries, I've decided to put that off until tomorrow. Chris will just have to go without orange juice tomorrow. I am so bad. Then of course I may just go out later.
Lately, I've been busy with many projects and next week I have so many appointments I am tired looking at the calendar. Maybe that is it. I am just run down.
Regardless, I think I will make ANOTHER cup of coffee (I usually have only one a day) and hope I don't get "coffee shakes". But, I feel a need to nurture, to draw inward for comfort.
Comfort.... hmmmm a good subject. I will attempt tomorrow when my hair is cleaned and prissy, I am in decent clothes and ready to take on the world....and that party we are suppose to go to.
For today just call me Minnie, a drawback from my childhood name. Because today I feel like nesting and remembering. I will turn on the fireplace (an electric heater kind) and light some candles and begin my journey into fall.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
A Taste of Fall
Here in New England we are looking at a very early fall picking season. For apples that is. We had a very warm spring and summer so we find ourselves here in September picking apples, knowing by October there will be only left overs. It just isn’t same. Picking apples in shorts is sort of, well, sacrilegious. No beautiful tree colors of orange, red and yellow. No fire at the Red Apple farm to warm us as we sip hot cider. No sweaters and jeans and a crisp in the air that makes you feel like you are blessed to come from this part of the country. Nope, not this year.
I’ve been married, for a lifetime it seems. I say that because I have been married longer now than I was single. So, it is hard to go back into my adulthood without it actually pertaining to my marriage now. Although my husband I have a healthy separate personal life as well, it just seems that all those great, warm memories lead back to him.
Well, let me tell you something when I met my husband I would have never thought I would become the cook I have. My family was very Irish, very meat and potatoes. Until I got married I never had a taco (which we lived on the first year we got married) or even a zucchini. Chris, on the other hand had full course meals, including desserts. A homemade dessert from my mom was pretty much a purchased graham cracker crust, a box of chocolate pudding and a tub of Cool Whip. Anyway, you get the picture, very diverse eating styles. I would argue my husband has a better sense of a balanced meal and found appreciation in all things garden grown.
We got married in the fall and I can remember going to purchase some applesauce to go along with our pork (a left over of the day when applesauce helped in avoiding trichinosis. Be an old wives tale or not, we always had applesauce with pork). Well, as I reach you would have thought the heavens were coming down upon my poor husband. “What is that for?” he ask. I sort of looked at him funny. What kind of guy doesn’t know a good jar of Mott’s applesauce? “I don’t eat jar applesauce”.
God bless my mother in law, she was a regular Mrs. Clever. She, it turns out made everything by scratch, including applesauce. I guess the look of confusion was enough for him to remind me of the strange contraption my mother in law made sure I got at my bridal shower. It was called a “Foley Mill” (Which, by the way, brings back terrible memories of me trying use the name of this this item in a game where you told a lie or truth and everyone was convinced I was lying. I lost that stupid game that night because of that dern Foley Mill I really fought hard to make people believe me) The Foley is a this bowl type strainer with a handle in the middle which forces the apple meat through these holes, while holding back the skins and the seeds.
So, instead of my faithful jar of Mott’s Applesauce (which I still like) we got a couple bags of Macintosh apples. So, starts and adventure into making homemade applesauce. Over the years it begin pretty simply. Using Mac’s made it so I didn’t have to sugar (a real no-no says my MIL) I proceeded to make homemade applesauce; it really isn’t hard. I have tweaked the recipe to make it more sophisticated, and hubby actually likes it better. So, from my New England kitchen I thought I would share my recipe.
Home Made Apple Sauce
About 15 Cortland Apples (which give the applesauce a lovely pink color and a subtle tartness)
10 Mac’s
Remember, this is an approximation, it really does depend on the size of the apples. I make my sauce in a Dutch oven, and I PACK it.
Oh, you can use any kind of apples. One year I got a peck (a big bag) of apple "drops" and they actually made a wonderful sauce, but I would never be able to reproduce this because I had no idea what kind of apples were in there!
1/8 c. water in bottom of Dutch oven
Cut apples up, discard core but no need to peel. I have a neat apple slicer, which can be found anywhere, including the grocery store, which cuts the apple up and separates the core out. It is a push down, push em'out kind of contraption.
Place apples in a large Dutch oven
Cover and start to simmer on VERY LOW heat for about 10 minutes until you can push the apples down a bit, meaning they are starting to cook. DO NOT BURN
Add:
2 T. ground cinnamon
2 T. Apple spice mix (or you can do some “shakes” of allspice, nutmeg, cloves, ginger)
1/8 t. mace (optional) gives a little "kick" to anything apple
pinch of salt
NO SUGAR in my recipe (my mother in law is very proud)!
Add spices after cooking apples about 10 minutes, mix well and continue to cook on low until all the apples are broken down.
Here is where I use a Foley mill and take the broken down mixture and process. If you do not have a Foley, you can use a strainer and push the meat through and remove the apple skins by hand. It is messy and doesn’t give the consistency of the food mill.
So, there it is, a little bit of New England in a bowl! I freeze my applesauce and have it year round. It taste great and you, too, can “tweak” it to your hearts content.
I’ve been married, for a lifetime it seems. I say that because I have been married longer now than I was single. So, it is hard to go back into my adulthood without it actually pertaining to my marriage now. Although my husband I have a healthy separate personal life as well, it just seems that all those great, warm memories lead back to him.
Well, let me tell you something when I met my husband I would have never thought I would become the cook I have. My family was very Irish, very meat and potatoes. Until I got married I never had a taco (which we lived on the first year we got married) or even a zucchini. Chris, on the other hand had full course meals, including desserts. A homemade dessert from my mom was pretty much a purchased graham cracker crust, a box of chocolate pudding and a tub of Cool Whip. Anyway, you get the picture, very diverse eating styles. I would argue my husband has a better sense of a balanced meal and found appreciation in all things garden grown.
We got married in the fall and I can remember going to purchase some applesauce to go along with our pork (a left over of the day when applesauce helped in avoiding trichinosis. Be an old wives tale or not, we always had applesauce with pork). Well, as I reach you would have thought the heavens were coming down upon my poor husband. “What is that for?” he ask. I sort of looked at him funny. What kind of guy doesn’t know a good jar of Mott’s applesauce? “I don’t eat jar applesauce”.
God bless my mother in law, she was a regular Mrs. Clever. She, it turns out made everything by scratch, including applesauce. I guess the look of confusion was enough for him to remind me of the strange contraption my mother in law made sure I got at my bridal shower. It was called a “Foley Mill” (Which, by the way, brings back terrible memories of me trying use the name of this this item in a game where you told a lie or truth and everyone was convinced I was lying. I lost that stupid game that night because of that dern Foley Mill I really fought hard to make people believe me) The Foley is a this bowl type strainer with a handle in the middle which forces the apple meat through these holes, while holding back the skins and the seeds.
So, instead of my faithful jar of Mott’s Applesauce (which I still like) we got a couple bags of Macintosh apples. So, starts and adventure into making homemade applesauce. Over the years it begin pretty simply. Using Mac’s made it so I didn’t have to sugar (a real no-no says my MIL) I proceeded to make homemade applesauce; it really isn’t hard. I have tweaked the recipe to make it more sophisticated, and hubby actually likes it better. So, from my New England kitchen I thought I would share my recipe.
Home Made Apple Sauce
About 15 Cortland Apples (which give the applesauce a lovely pink color and a subtle tartness)
10 Mac’s
Remember, this is an approximation, it really does depend on the size of the apples. I make my sauce in a Dutch oven, and I PACK it.
Oh, you can use any kind of apples. One year I got a peck (a big bag) of apple "drops" and they actually made a wonderful sauce, but I would never be able to reproduce this because I had no idea what kind of apples were in there!
1/8 c. water in bottom of Dutch oven
Cut apples up, discard core but no need to peel. I have a neat apple slicer, which can be found anywhere, including the grocery store, which cuts the apple up and separates the core out. It is a push down, push em'out kind of contraption.
Place apples in a large Dutch oven
Cover and start to simmer on VERY LOW heat for about 10 minutes until you can push the apples down a bit, meaning they are starting to cook. DO NOT BURN
Add:
2 T. ground cinnamon
2 T. Apple spice mix (or you can do some “shakes” of allspice, nutmeg, cloves, ginger)
1/8 t. mace (optional) gives a little "kick" to anything apple
pinch of salt
NO SUGAR in my recipe (my mother in law is very proud)!
Add spices after cooking apples about 10 minutes, mix well and continue to cook on low until all the apples are broken down.
Here is where I use a Foley mill and take the broken down mixture and process. If you do not have a Foley, you can use a strainer and push the meat through and remove the apple skins by hand. It is messy and doesn’t give the consistency of the food mill.
So, there it is, a little bit of New England in a bowl! I freeze my applesauce and have it year round. It taste great and you, too, can “tweak” it to your hearts content.
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